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The Welterweights: What to Expect in 2012

Historically, the 147 lb. class has been one of boxing's glamor divisions and it currently continues in the tradition as it just happens to be the home of the sport's two biggest draws in Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Below the current top two, though, is a crew of evenly-matched fighters looking to reach the elite level.

Here's a look at what 2012 has in store for the welterweight division:

Barring some divine intervention, it look as though Pacquiao-Mayweather won't be happening any time soon. Instead, both fighters will probably be looking for a somewhat suitable replacement for the big one.

WBO champ, Manny Pacquiao has many more viable options than his arch-rival, with a fourth bout against Juan Manuel Marquez and a scrap with Timothy Bradley topping the list of potential contests. There also exists the possibility that Lamont Peterson, who upset Amir Khan on December 10th, could get the call. A long shot is Philadelphia's Mike Jones, who could get a shot, assuming he gets by veteran Randall Bailey in a battle for the vacant IBF welterweight belt.

Mayweather has a much tougher task when it comes to finding a suitable non-Pacquiao substitute. The winner of February's Andre Berto-Victor Ortiz rematch would likely be the frontrunner for a Mayweather bout, but neither is a sure thing. Berto is an Al Haymon stablemate of Mayweather's and a Mayweather-Ortiz rematch may be a tough sell after the frustrating ending of their first contest last September. Another potential opponent would be the winner of the upcoming Devon Alexander-Marcos Maidana clash. Other than those choices, the only other option would involve a possible move up to junior middleweight, where names like Saul Alvarez, James Kirkland, and Miguel Cotto reside.

As already mentioned, Berto-Ortiz II, Jones-Bailey, and Alexander-Maidana will be happening in the first half of 2012 and will carry heavy implications for the remainder of the year. Whoever doesn't land a bout with either Pacquiao or Mayweather will be left to affirm their status at the top of the division's second tier.

Paulie Malignaggi, a junior welterweight champ who moved up to 147 after losing three of five at the lower weight, is no longer to be considered a world class contender, but, on name recognition alone, is likely one or two fights away from getting a bout against a top welterweight.

In Europe, Britain's Kell Brook is by far the brightest welterweight star coming from the Euro scene. The 25-year-old talent just made his American debut in December and will likely step up his level of opposition in 2012. Fellow Brit, Matthew Hatton, despite a loss to Saul Alvarez at 154 lbs., is still a viable opponent with a three year unbeaten streak at welterweight. Also on the European scene are solid fighters like WBA titlist, Vyacheslav Senchenko, as well as former world titlists Jan Zaveck and Rafal Jackiewicz. Turkey's Selcuk Aydin has been the WBC's mandatory challenger at welterweight for about two years and is no closer to getting a title shot at WBC champ, Floyd Mayweather than he was against former champs, Victor Ortiz or Andre Berto.

On the fringes of the division with only a distant chance at making waves in 2012 are talented, but inactive Brad Solomon; spoiler, Carson Jones; prospect, Shawn Porter; heavy-handed Argentine, Luis Carlos Abregu; southpaw, Said Ouali; converted former junior middleweight challenger, Joel Julio; and wily veteran, Sebastian Lujan.

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